Baseball: Wingers bounce back at home

There weren’t any lingering signs that Red Wing had just lost its first game of the season when the Wingers took the field Friday against New Prague in Red Wing. In fact, it was business as usual.

The Wingers, who lost 8-4 to Chanhassen Wednesday in Chanhassen to snap a season-opening nine-game win streak, appeared unaffected by the loss and went about beating the Trojans 6-0 in workman-like fashion.

Red Wing (10-1, 9-1 Missota) scored in six of the seven innings against New Prague and did so without much flash outside of the first inning.

“They were waiting to get back into it,” Wingers head coach Jim Bohmbach said. “Sometimes I think we get a little lackadaisical just because we know we’re good and they’re kind of waiting for that playoff time. But you’ve got to keep that momentum going. Everyone has to stay sharp, you gotta keep hitting the ball.”

Red Wing had seven hits in the game, but a productive first inning set the tone early. Senior catcher David Goggin reached on a double and junior center fielder Ryan Boldt drove Goggin in with a triple to right center field. Senior left fielder Mike Stegora brought Boldt in with an RBI single to give the Wingers a quick 2-0 lead.

Boldt finished 1-for-3 with a run and an RBI and Goggin went 1-for-3 with a run and an RBI. Junior right fielder Preston Blaney had an RBI double in the fifth and finished 1-for-3 and Jack Strusz went 2-for-2. The Wingers drew four walks and produced two runs from the walks.

“We definitely wanted to get our swings back in,” Boldt said. “It took us a couple of games, we kind of stopped hitting there for a while, but we definitely hit the ball today so that was good to see.”

Junior starter Trey Eckstrom had plenty of run support in his first varsity start of the season. Eckstrom went five innings and allowed one hit and two walks. Eckstrom struck out four, including three in the second inning. Carsten Meyer pitched the final two innings.

“He is a varsity pitcher as you can see,” Bohmbach said. “He’s very well controlled. He’s got a good curveball and changeup. We just can’t get him innings up here on varsity. He’ll definitely help us in the playoffs.”

Eckstrom had a no-hitter going until the fourth inning when he allowed a one-out single.

“His curveball was working and he was mixing speeds and he threw everything for strikes,” Boldt said. “It was good to see him do well.”

Eckstrom got the start because the Wingers have a tournament today in Owatonna and face Shakopee, which trails Red Wing by a game in the conference Tuesday.

The Wingers stranded six runners in scoring position and got a run on a wild pitch and a throwing error.

“We didn’t get a lot of hits tonight, but it was a better performance and it’s a good way to get back in the winning side,” Bohmbach said. “These guys are tough and they know how to come back.”

Red Wing faces Owatonna and Lakeville North today in the Owatonna Wood Bat tournament.

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